So the cool kids at Blind Mice Studios are at it again with another installment to the app world, adding to the uber successful Ask The Butcher App with Upsies!. The thing we like about this is that it is an ‘Active’ App. Rather than kids hunched up on a couch with their head buried in their games console – Upsies! is an App that encourages them to stay active and fun. The active part = just, the fun part = a lot. This is a lot of fun. We think get this now.

Buy | Apple App Store

We had some fun with this in the studio.

The third installation of Old Spice’s ads featuring the impossibly charismatic Isaiah Mustafa was a little unexpected.  Isaiah and the creative team have been rather busy of late – listening, researching and responding in very personal and meaningful ways to people who have mentioned the first two ads across all types of media.  Currently I count 118 video responses on the YouTube channel – to people ranging from Ellen DeGeneres (33,000 views) to Perez Hilton (61,700) to Kevin Rose (61,600) to dozens of every day people who average 300 views.  Note: these numbers tripled in the 2 hours since I started this post.

This phenomenon is often labeled viral but this is a fundamentally flawed way of understanding it.  By definition, a viral video would have to have an in built replication mechanism – one that forced its way into the attention of all your friends.  Individuals decide whether to pass on content based on how they believe it will effect the relationships with the recipients – most people don’t spam their friends.  As Bud Caddell points out, better word for this is popular – the original ads had broad popular appeal and these new responses have a much narrower appeal but much deeper meaning.

I applaud the agency Wieden + Kennedy for convincing their client to spend more of its marketing budget on genuinely connecting with and rewarding people who want to be involved in the campaign – its fans.

At the end of the day though – will I switch to Old Spice?  Very unlikely but then again, I’m not the target market.  Looking forward to seeing the sales figures – I’m willing to bet they’re pretty good.

Ian Lyons blogs over at www.blog.ianlyons.com or follow him on twitter.

Nike presents “Engine”, the new commercial surrounding the LIVESTRONG initiative . We will refrain from writing anything insightful here, the brand and this advert tells quite a strong story.

The OAKLEY Rollin’ project launched at L’imprimerie as a new creative project alongside the presentation of the 2010 Eyeshade model. Local artist Yue Wu was also on hand for a live illustration session in his trademark styles. With each camera comes a video camera as you the rider become the director and filmmaker. The best video will win a bike. Follow the whole OAKLEY Rollin’ project here with a sample video seen below.

To see more images visit Hypebeast

Here is an extraction of a conversation that took place in my lift this morning on the way to work.

Me: “Good morning, How are you?”
Other guy: “Flat out mate … real busy, real busy”
Me (silently thinking to myself): “Hmmm, shouldn’t have bothered asking … can you tell me something interesting. After all, do you think declaring you’re busy actually mean you are in fact busy?”
Other guy (after the above silence): “How about you mate, busy? Flat out, hey?”
Me: “Not right now, I’m in the lift talking to you … just had a coffee with a friend.”
Other guy (silently thinking to himself): “Geez … this bloke’s lazy. He wouldn’t survive in my ‘busy’ organisation.”

This is a common discussion. I regularly meet people who, like a badge of honour, declare themselves busy at the first possible chance. In business, we often see this notion then filter through organisations to the point that there is never-ending random activity and a whole lot of ‘busy-ness’. Often this ‘busy-ness’ then kills creativity, focus and productivity … and god forbid, people get rewarded for ‘busy-ness’.

Hence I never randomly tell people I am busy.

Personally, I don’t perceive myself as busy, so if I’m not busy then, what am I?

A few weeks ago, I thought about the various states I think I am in during the week and how it relates to performing different types of work. Doing this exercise is interesting because it ensures you start functioning correctly for the specific types of work you are doing. For example, it’s no point been in a state of busy-ness when you are trying to crack a complex problem.

Here’s my list:

• Busy: I think this is only about 20% of my time … when my diary is completely full in 30 minute increments and multi-tasking is the norm. Generally, the ‘busy’ time is not my most productive. But it is necessary.
• Focused: This is critical time when specific topics require focus. This can be meetings, discussions, phone calls, emails etc … everything focused on getting something done. People who can’t focus often can’t deliver … it is the most productive time.
• On a deadline: Not too much fun … I put the ‘do not disturb’ sign up because I need to deliver something. It’s slightly different to focus because I’m constrained by arbitrary deadlines and more often than not on my own.
• Networking or building for the future: This is a time to be curious, and engaged … if you appear ‘busy’ at these meetings you will appear disengaged and potentially aloof. Not to mention you’ll probably be late.
• Creative: Devote time boundaries to solving complex problems … generally I don’t solve them but normally we make them better. This is either an individual or group task.
• On a break: Go grab a coffee and talk to someone different. Leave your ‘busy’ friends to spin their wheels and clear your head.

Each week and day has different amounts of time devoted to each. The key thing I’ve found is to ensure your mental state is appropriate for what you’re trying to achieve. Less busy, more focus!

What are your work ‘states’? Let me know if you have a better list.

Here is a list of some great elevator conversation starters.

Images via Webdesigners Help

Introducing Stop The Water While Using Me.

In an interesting take on brand names, the brand currently sells products made with organic and/or natural ingredients, packaged in biodegradable containers, and manufactured with sustainability in mind. But the standout feature is that message, reminding people to switch off the tap while lathering up.

Managed by ad executive Stefan Kolle, Hamburg-based Stop The Water was shortlisted for a 2010 Cannes Lion.

The brand is on the hunt for retail partners so get in touch if thats you. This is cool.

Visit Stop The Water While Using Me

uncluttered white spaces are on the hunt for a creative intern passionate and knowledgeable about building online communities and working in the social media space.

The candidate must have a strong interest in design, social media, collaboration, strategy, marketing and social responsibility. This is a very cool opportunity to get involved with a growing company still in its early stages and to play a significant role in working with and creating this online community in the future.

Specific Skills Required:

+ Social Network Integration (Facebook, Twitter, Digg etc)
+ Experience with wordpress and web design
+ HTML/Basic PHP
+ Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
+ Proficiency in InDesign, Illustrator, Keynote and Photoshop

This oportunity will start off as an unpaid, mobile (studio or home) position with plenty of opportunity to gain a wealth of experience and eventuate into a full time position.

We are looking for the candidate to work around 16 hours per week in a flexible set up for the right person. All Interns will be mentored and given as much opportunity to grow in the position. You will be a key member of the uncluttered white spaces and IF talks team collaborating and working with inspiring business leaders/ writers, innovative people and a diverse client list with a readership across 24 countries.

If this is for you, send an email to Ben Rennie detailing why you would be excellent for this internship, providing links to online projects you have worked on and briefly describing your specific role and responsibilities in relation to the skills required above.

Thank you and good luck. Please Tweet and Share this opportunity with your friends on Facebook.

APPLY HERE

To add to our growing subscription base, we have conceeded and agreed to create a Facebook fan page for uncluttered white spaces.

Whilst we limit the content on white spaces to 3 articles per day on design, strategy, marketing, people and business, we get sent a lot more content than that from blogs and people from all over the globe. We will use our Facebook page as an outlet for that content so whilst the blog will remain the master source of insight, the facebook page will look to feature more of the cool and the same amount of insight.

Like us, join us and become a part of the growing family of innovators and thought leaders.

Once we hit 1000 fans, we will be giving away a free Sigg chosen at random from our new Facebook fan base so get on the list, tell your friends and lets create a cool community.

Alternatively, you can subscribe via email or RSS.

Community Participation 3.0

The 7 Trends that will Rock Marketing by Graham D Brown

Just how big is this money-making comback bonanza? This big:

Tiger’s back at the Masters! If the man slips on the Green Jacket once again, you can bet it will become the greatest sports story of the decade. Even if he doesn’t win, his mere appearance will herald the return of the biggest personality driven money-magnet the world has ever seen. (Witness this bizarro ad shamelessly featuring Tiger’s dad Earl Woods. The image rehabilitation is in full swing.)

uncluttered white spaces through IF has curated a panel of Australia’s leaders in media, marketing, design and strategy to address the ever changing media landscape. The panel will discuss tradtional media, new media, web, social networking and the changing consumer thinking along insights into the future. The panel will address how entrepreneurs, innovators and marketers are changing their approach to business, strategy, marketing and web.

To learn more or book tickets. Click here
We will provide updates and interviews with the panel leading up to the event.

FEATURED SPEAKERS